05/13/2014

With spring in full swing, chances are you’ve had flowers on the mind lately. Perhaps a getaway to see some of the finest wildflowers in the country is in order? These six places have been hailed as some of the best areas for spring and summer blossom viewing in the nation.

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, California

Although the wildflower blooms in this reserve reached their peak on May 4, there are still a good number of flowers painting the hills vivid colors. Poppy fields will remain for another two weeks and two wildflowers -- beavertail cacti and buckwheat -- have yet to reach their height. If you’re more of the planning type, be sure to go in April, when the nearby town of Lancaster holds an annual California Poppy Festival featuring live music and family-friendly activities like camel rides.

Shenandoah National Park has over 200,000 acres of protected lands and boasts more than 850 species of wildflowers. While it’s too late to catch some of the popular flowers, including purple violets and pink lady slippers, the later spring and early summer months still bring plenty of colorful buds to take in. Keep an eye out for columbines, ox-eye daisies, and orange touch-me-nots around this time of year.

Fort Pierre National Grassland, South Dakota

This mixed-grass prairie covers over 100,000 acres and is a special sight in the summer when wildflowers are in full bloom. If you’re not as excited about the opportunities for spotting bluebells, bellflower, and Eastern red columbine, you can alternatively keep an eye out for some of the more lively species inhabiting the area, like prairie dogs and burrowing owls.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Fortunately for the latecomers to the wildflower scene, the species in Glacier National Park typically don’t peak until July and August. This may feel far into the future, but planning a trip to see the nearly 1,000 species of blossoms will be worth the wait. Make sure to get the inside scoop on which trails will be best for wildflower-viewing. If you want a flower-filled weekend you can even stay overnight in one of the park’s historic lodges or campsites.

White Mountains, New Hampshire

Despite this year’s polar vortex, wildflowers will still come to New Hampshire! Orchids are typically the first to blossom, kicking off wildflower season in late May. Make your travel arrangements now to come out during the 21st Annual Celebration of Lupines during the month of June in Franconia Notch. If the bright blankets of lupines covering the ground isn’t enough to convince you to book your travel now, the month will also feature a variety of ongoing and one-time events that attract crowds from far and wide.

-- image courtesy of iStock/jamcgraw

Jessica Zischke is a former editorial intern at Sierra. She is currently studying environmental studies at Dartmouth College. On campus she works as an editor of Dartbeat, the blog of the student-run newspaper The Dartmouth, and as the Sustainability Chair for her sorority, Alpha Xi Delta.

04/08/2014

From drifting placidly along rivers or lakes to serious 500-mile trips, canoe camping provides the romantic scenery of backpacking without the load on your back. We talked to Darren Bush, the self-styled Chief Paddling Evangelist at Rutabaga Paddlesports and founder of the blog Canoelover.com about some beginner tips and epic trips.

"Some people assume that humans have a gene that allows them to paddle a canoe," said Bush. "But in reality it takes some time and training." Bush stresses dry bags as a pivotal piece of equipment for all canoers. "Anything that can be remotely affected by water needs to be bagged," he said. "Trash bags can be OK, but you really don't want to put your sleeping bag in one of those. You can never have too many dry bags."

Bush described the Lake Country in his home state of Wisconsin as his favorite place for canoe camping. Here are some of his favorite trips in other parts of the US and Canada.

Willamette River Water Trail, Oregon

The Willamette River is one of the main tributaries of the Columbia River. Stretching from Eugene to Portand, Oregon, it's dotted by more than 40 campgrounds. Flowing through the parks and forests of Cascadia as well as cities and towns, the Willamette's current ranges from placid to dynamic, making it a challenge for beginners and experienced paddlers.

Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Northeast States

A network of 22 rivers and over 50 lakes and ponds, the 700-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail flows from the Adirondack Mountains of New York to the far north of Maine. The trail is accessible to less ambitious paddlers, as its route passes through a number of small towns and communities that can be used as take outs and put ins.

Thelon River, Canada

Straddling Nunavut and Northwest Territories, The Thelon River is about as far off the grid as you can go in North America. Unlike the Willamette and Northern Forest Trail, it's possible to paddle the Thelon's entire length without seeing another person. Grizzly bears, moose, white wolves, and wolverines will be your company for this epic float.

--Images courtesy of iStockphoto/Wildnerdpix/llhoward/Warren_Price

Callum Beals is an editorial intern at Sierra. he recently graduated from UC Santa Cruz where he studied history and literature. He enjoys hiking, camping, and waking up at ungodly hours to watch soccer games.

04/04/2014

Spice up a vacation itinerary by visiting places you've already seen on the silver screen. The films on this list used national parks as backdrops to some unforgettable scenes. Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to create your own adventure once you get there.

Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) For some of us there are still only three Star Wars films. Part of the reason we cling so heartily to the original trilogy is that they didn't use green screens/chroma keys for all of their locations. Parts of Death Valley National Park, where temperatures regularly soar to over 100 degrees, were used for some of the Tatooine sets. Who wouldn't want to brave that weather for a chance to experience a galaxy not so far away?

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989): The final installment in the original Indiana Jones series took us toreclaim artifacts from far off places, but who could forget the iconic flashback at the start of the film? Young Indie leads his fellow scouts into an adventure that projects his eventual career path. You too can relive those harrowing moments by taking a trip to Arches National Park in Moab, Utah, where the scenes were filmed. If you're a movie buff this park will really appeal to you. It served as the backdrop for many other films.

The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997): If hunting down graverobbers or Sith Lords isn't your style then maybe you'll enjoy running away from velociraptors, or at least pretending to. Parts of this sequel were filmed in Redwood National Forest, located in Northern California. Take a hike around Fern Canyon to feel immersed in the beauty of the outdoors and relive those nail-biting moments. (Tip: Stay away from the long grass.)

National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007):Mount Rushmore is an icon all its own, but when you add Nicolas Cage to the mix things are bound to get a little adventurous. Book of Secrets was filmed at various national memorials (including the ones for Lincoln and Washington) which makes it a good movie to base a tour off of. Step into America's history and maybe you too can stumble upon an unsolved mystery.

-- image courtesy of iStock/KovacsAlex

Bianca Hernandez is an editorial intern at Sierra. She recently received her MA in Visual Anthropology from the University of Southern California and has written for various publications.

03/31/2014

A total lunar eclipse is well positioned for all the United States in April, but most people will have to set their alarms for the middle of the night to see it. The moon passes into the shadow of Earth and takes on a reddish hue overnight from April 14 to 15. The far northeastern US will see the eclipse at moonset, but for the rest of the continental US, the whole eclipse is visible. The partial phase, as our shadow begins to cover up the brightness of the full moon and then gives it back, lasts for about an hour on either side of the total phase. Totality for the Central time zone begins at 2:07 a.m. CDT and ends at 3:25 a.m. CDT, and for Mountain time is from 1:07 a.m. to 2:25 a.m. Pacific time has to wait until just after midnight, from 12:07 a.m. to 1:25 a.m. The moon officially reaches full phase during the eclipse on April 15 at 2:42 a.m. CDT.

An annular solar eclipse follows a few weeks later, on April 29; however, as it occurs over Antarctica, it will go largely unseen by humans.

With the return of spring, constellations such as Virgo have taken center stage. Fortunately, Virgo has a lot of action for stargazers this month. The reddish planet Mars is close to Virgo’s brightest star, Spica. Mars shines more brightly at magnitude -1.5. The Red Planet reaches opposition on April 8, rising at sunset and setting at sunrise.

03/18/2014

With polar ice caps melting at an alarming rate, now's the time to visit some of the most awe-inspiring natural formations that Earth has to offer -- glaciers. From South America to northern Europe, glaciers rise like ice behemoths, carving out valleys and paving the way for fjords. Here are three of the most breathtaking.

Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina

Perito Moreno's imposing ice wall is fed from the Andes and is one of Argentina's biggest tourist destinations. Viewing decks afford astonishing views of one of the most visually stunning glaciers in the world.

Grinnell Glacier, Montana

Like many of the glaciers in Montana's Glacier National Park, Grinnell continues to recede at a rapid rate because of climate change. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, Grinnell Glacier has shrunk by 40 percent since 1966, and if climate change continues at this pace, Grinnell will be gone by 2030. All the more reason to see this majestic glacier before it disappears forever.

Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland

Who says glaciers have to be cold? Eyjafjallajökull sits on top of a volcano! This is the same Icelandic volcano that wreaked havoc on European air travel in 2010. Nevertheless, visions of volcanic activity in a scene of glacial beauty more than make up for Eyjafjallajökull troublesome eruptions, in our opinion.

While these three glaciers are found on opposite corners of the planet, they're all vulnerable to the same melting fate. And if you want to visit these glaciers but don't want to contribute to climate change through air travel, why not go on a bike tour to your glacial paradise.

--Images by iStockphoto/Nikontiger, Zaharov, Bkamprath, OddStefan

Callum Beals is an editorial intern at Sierra. He recently graduated from UC Santa Cruz, where he studied history and literature. He enjoys hiking, camping, and waking up at ungodly hours to watch soccer games.

03/16/2014

I've been known to peruse real estate websites in my free time, but these cabins alone may give me enough daydream material for the rest of my life. Each dwelling is almost entirely constructed out of repurposed materials, from the wooden frames to the chairs within. High-tech or old-fashioned, spacious or small, all have sustainability in mind. Which will be your next desktop background?

Image by Dancing Fox Cabin

1. A rustic retreat. Located in Bellevue, Ohio,Dancing Fox Cabin prides itself on being primitive. Made from at least 95% “reclaimed, repurposed, reimagined, and recycled” materials -- there are chalkboard kitchen counters, handmade cabinetry, and barn beam framing -- the cabin is the owner’s interpretation of what an early settler may have built, when one would have lived in a simple cabin before erecting a permanent home.

“We’re trying to show people what you can do using someone’s discarded waste to make something beautiful,” said owner Janell Davenport.

Image by Karlo Photography

2. A teensy cabin.Hobbitat founders Bill and Sue Thomas have been making custom homes for years. In 2012, they partnered with Blue Moon Rising to build 13 cabins for an ecotourism retreat on Deep Creek Lake in Maryland. Each of the small “Hobs,” as they like to call their structures, uses reclaimed, recycled, and local materials. Hobbitat also equips buildings with modern, energy-efficient technologies.

Cabin #7 (left) features old German siding from a general store in Pennsylvania, metal from a barn roof, and an old pouncer (an English tool for laundry) upcycled into a light. Its door, like every Hob's, once belonged to a different structure.

Image by Jordan Long and Matt Glass

3. A glassy getaway. Photographer Nick Olson took designer Lilah Horwitz out to a spot in the West Virginia mountains for their first date, a spot that became one of the couple's favorites. While watching one of many sunsets here, they threw out the idea of building a cabin with a wall made entirely of glass, “because then you would never have to fit the sunset into a small space,” Horwitz said in a video made by Half Cut Tea. Less than a year later, in June 2012, they both quit their jobs to build the cabin.

The wall of glass is made of windows they found at second-hand stores and salvage yards. The mismatched front gives the structure a whimsical, simple feel. Just about everything else that Olson and Horwitz used in constructing and furnishing their cabin was upcycled too. Even the handles and hinges were found at yard sales and flea markets.

Image by Derek Diedricksen

4. A mini abode.“The Rock Bottom” is a small cabin that Derek “Deek” Diedricksen of RelaxShacks built in northern Vermont. At only 8' by 8', with a building cost of about $300, the minimalist structure was built to be a “backwoods library of sorts.”

This small space was so cheap to build because it's made mostly from repurposed materials. The window in the front door is actually a dome made for pets to see outside of fenced-in yards. Diedricksen made a multicolored chair out of random boards of wood. The entire front deck came from a lumber company that was throwing it away.

“I just love the feel that vintage items can add -- a look, vibe, and attitude you wouldn't get with run of the mill store-bought items," Diedricksen said. One of his biggest reasons for repurposing items is “knowing that you're giving materials a second life, and keeping them from the already-overflowing waste stream.”

Image by Portland Garden Cottages

5. A creative cottage. The Sassafras Cottage, one of three small homes built by Portland Garden Cottages in Portland, Oregon, is truly a work of art in repurposing materials. Jeff Gantert and Brad Bloom, the self-taught builders behind the company, had to think creatively in building this 364-square-foot home.

The inside features thoughtful pieces like a folding table and hidden wine cellar that maximize space in the small home. For wallpaper, the builders used sacks that once held pinto beans or flour, and Trader Joe’s bags.

--Top image by Nick Olson

Jessica Zischkeis an editorial intern at Sierra. She is currently studying environmental studies at Dartmouth College, where she also works as a staff writer forThe Dartmouthnewspaper.

03/13/2014

As far as family businesses go, few have had such an effect on the American landscape as the Olmsteds’. While Frederick Law Olmsted Sr.’s projects are world renowned (Central Park, the U.S. Capitol, the Biltmore Estate, Niagara Falls, Boston’s Emerald Necklace), the influence of his son Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. (1870-1957) is also far-reaching.

He and his stepbrother, John Olmsted, took over their father’s landscape architecture firm upon his retirement and went on to complete some 3,000 commissions. In the East, these include the Jefferson Memorial, the White House and National Cathedral grounds, and other aspects and updates to Pierre L’Enfant’s 1791 plan for Washington, D.C.

He also had a voice in the creation of the national park system, helping to write the statement of purpose for the nascent National Park Service: “to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such a manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”

FLO Jr. first visited what is now Yosemite National Park at age 16, while on a trip to California with his father to scout the site that Leland Stanford wanted to turn into a university. Forty years later, he became a long-serving member of Yosemite National Park’s advisory board while working to preserve California's redwoods and America's recreation spaces -- rural, urban, and suburban. In a full-circle turn of sorts, the relevance of FLO Jr.'s vision for parks and preservation today will be explored at the National Association for Olmsted Parks symposium “Frederick Law Olmsted Jr.: Inspirations for the 21st Century,” March 27–28, at Stanford University. --M.P. Klier

03/12/2014

Big cats mingle with the stars in Los Angeles. The Santa Monica Mountains, which transverse greater Los Angeles, are home to population of mountain lions that seem rather wild for LA's urban sprawl. The National Park Service monitors the movement and eating habits of more than 30 mountain lions with GPS collars in the Santa Monica Mountains. In 2012, one of the lions was filmed prowling through Griffith Park near downtown LA. That same mountain lion, known as P22, was also photographed by National Geographic photographer Steve Winter with the Hollywood sign in the background. While the LA mountain lion community is undeniably under threat because of habitat fragmentation, urban development, and low genetic diversity, two cubs were recently captured by motion-detecting cameras. Thankfully, they're described as "nice and fat."

Fox — London, UK

In the last century, red foxes have colonized many urban areas throughout the United Kingdom. An estimated 33,000 urban foxes live throughout the country, with possibly 16 per square mile in London. While many Britons view the foxes as urban pests, others take to feeding their foxy friends. In 2011, one fox was found living on the top floor of the UK's tallest building, the Shard tower, while it was under construction. Described as a "resourceful little chap," he was captured and released back onto the streets of London.

While spotting deer roaming through town isn't surprising to many of us, the Sika deer in Japan's Nara Park are particularly numerous. They are thought to be messengers of the gods and are closely tied to the Kasuga Shrine found in the park. Sika deer are also extremely friendly and regularly interact with humans, especially if you've got a snack for them to munch on.

Callum Beals is an editorial intern at Sierra. He recently graduated from UC Santa Cruz, where he studied history and literature. He enjoys hiking, camping, and waking up at ungodly hours to watch soccer games.

03/04/2014

Of the 401 parks managed by the National Park Service, there are definitely some fan favorites -- the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite. Each year nearly 275 million visitors flock overwhelmingly to the big names on the NPS list. But what about the rest of its many magnificent monuments and landmarks? We found the 10 least visited parks in the system -- presented here from least to most popular. If none of these places is close to home, venture out find an undiscovered park in your town.

1. Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve, Lake and Peninsula, Alaska. Because of its remote location and unpredictable weather, Aniakchak is the least visited national park in the country. In 2012, only 19 people made the trek to this wild terrain, which includes a massive caldera (volcanic crater) that was formed 3,500 years ago. Weather and volcanic activity make it harder to plan a visit, but the adventurous shouldn't shy away from the opportunity to see one of the forgotten American park landscapes.

2. Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Concord, California. This memorial, which commemorates World War II's worst disaster on U.S. land, received a mere 533 visitors in 2012. On July 17, 1944, the sky over the San Francisco Bay Area lit up when two ammunition ships at Port Chicago Naval Magazine blew up, instantly killing 320 men. This site holds relics from the time of the explosion and will appeal to any WWII buff.

3. Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River, Big Bend National Park, Texas. The Rio Grande has lived in the shadow of Big Bend for years (the latter received 420 times as many visitors as its less-appreciated counterpart in 2012). Yet, the Rio Grande, too, has beautiful canyons and thrilling rapids, while prehistoric and historic sites along the river corridor give a glimpse into lives long ago. Breathtaking rock formations, amazing wildlife, and surprises at every turn add to the allure of the Rio Grande.

4. Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, Southeastern Fairbanks, Alaska. Although these rivers are accessible only by water, air, or "adventurous options," as the website says, the vast vistas and lush wildlife more than make up for any difficult travel. If the trek is too complicated, you can still pretend you're there with the park's webcams. Fewer than 1,500 people ventured here in 2012, ensuring the land remains pristine and all journeys are peaceful.

5. Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Thomas Jefferson called Kosciuszko "as pure a son of liberty, as I have ever known." The Polish freedom fighter was a key helper in fortifying the waterfront at Fort Mercer during the Revolutionary War, and he continued to help many other fortification projects. Kosciuszko was even chief engineer of the fortification at West Point, New York, now the esteemed military academy. Uncover a bit of unappreciated U.S. history at his home.

6. Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Shishmaref, Alaska. Just over 2,500 visitors witnessed the beauty of this park in 2012. The rest of us missed the hot springs, ancient lava flows, and large array of wildlife in this wilderness. More than 10,000 years ago, this was where people crossed from East Asia into North America. While the landscape has changed, the land bridge holds an important place in the stories of America's past and beauty of its present.

7. Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site, Danville, California. O'Neill was America's only Nobel Prize–winning playwright, and he moved to Northern California at the peak of his career. His most notable works -- The Iceman Cometh, Long Day's Journey Into Night, A Moon for the Misbegotten -- were written in this home, which he called Tao House. Visitors (of which there were nearly 3,000 in 2012) can go on a ranger-led or self-guided tour. The grounds are also accessible by hiking and mountain biking trails, which feature some of the area's best bird-watching.

8. Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument, Potter County, Texas. Texas's only national monument was once home to Native Americans who used the flint to fashion a variety of tools. Now, this area is primarily used for hiking, and the striking colors of the flint continue to amaze those who venture to this site. Visitors may enter only as part of the park's year-round guided tours, which take about two hours and climb 170 feet. For an ideal break from the busy day-to-day, take a breath here!

9. Nicodemus National Historic Site, Bogue, Kansas. At the end of the post-Civil War reconstruction, some formerly enslaved African Americans left Kentucky to go to Kansas, which was considered a "promised land." Nicodemus is the oldest black settlement west of the Mississippi River, and the only one remaining. Currently the town and park are preparing for the 136th Homecoming Emancipation Celebration (pictured), which takes place near the end of July.

10. Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site, Eads, Colorado. This horrific battle in American history lasted only eight hours, but about 200 Cheyenne and Arapaho people were killed by nearly 700 U.S. volunteer soldiers. Visitors can learn more about the massacre from a ranger and pay respect to the dead at the repatriation burial area. The site also features rare birds, insects, and flora -- a reminder that the land has continued on despite this traumatic event. Many people now use this area for research in an attempt to learn more about the historic environment.

-- All images courtesy of the National Park Service

Jessica Zischke is an editorial intern atSierra. She is currently studying environmental studies at Dartmouth College, where she also works as a staff writer for The Dartmouth newspaper.

Not all movies use back lots and special effects to get that special outdoors look. National parks have served as a backdrop to Hollywood films since 1910. If you're a movie buff who hasn't explored the great outdoors yet, let this list of classic films shot on National Park Service lands be your gateway into the wider world of camping.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969): For this classic Western, Butch Cassidy (Paul Newman) and the Sundance Kid (Robert Redford) -- the ultimate criminals on the run -- took advantage of the scenery in Utah's Zion National Park. Once you're there, you'll want to stay for the mind-blowing scenery. Besides the multitude of trails to lead you around the sandstone, there are many naturally occurring arches that are a wonder to behold in person.

The Grapes of Wrath (1940): This John Steinbeck classic novel-turned-film about the Dust Bowl exodus utilizes the Petrified Forest to re-create a journey many have taken through Arizona. The park has some great views and plenty of finds to keep paleontologists, archaeologists, and others -ists busy for a long time. But main attraction is really all the petrified wood, which is some otherworldly mix of logs and stone.

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